ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR

DISORDER

UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT: ALTERNATIVE

TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR

DISORDER

JENNIFER ANN ELLIS-AELAEI

KAPLAN UNIVERSITY
SC250
NOVEMBER 1, 2014

Ellis-Aelaei

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR

DISORDER

How can I naturally reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

I suffer from rapid cycling bi-polar 1 with mixed episode disorder. This brain disorder
causes me to have unusually intense emotional states, causes sharp changes in my mood, energy
and activity levels, and interferes with school and work as well as in daily life. This disorder also
has the ability to hinder logical decision making, and the completion of otherwise simple tasks.
This has effectively damaged relationships, lost jobs and jeopardized my enrolment in Kaplan.
Whether it be a manic or depressive episode, bi-polar disorder effects all aspects of my life even
when symptoms seem to be non-existent to onlookers of my life. I do take medication and
participate in therapy but I do not like to take medication because I quickly build resistances to
them and require frequent dosage increases and medication changes. Because of this rapid
resistance building to medications I have been in search of other ways to manage my symptoms.
The first source that I found was Healthline, this cite is providing alternative treatments
to bipolar disorder such as life style changes, supplements as well as mind and body
enhancement. Psychotherapy is important process for any suffer of bipolar disorder so that they
may know and recognize the signs and symptoms of their disease. Lifestyle changes such as
getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy foods, avoiding unhealthy relationships and
drugs/alcohol. Supplements must be used carefully as they may interact with medications or
work in the opposite of intended use. Another is the mind and body which works to relax and
reduce stress which is a huge trigger for bipolar episodes. Yoga, meditation and massage or a
combination of the three are good ways to cope with stress. Although this cite appears to have
some great information and what seem to be easy remedies to a lifelong problem the nature of
their claims and sources used do not show conclusive evidence.

Ellis-Aelaei

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR

DISORDER

The second source that I found was the National Institute of Mental Health and they
offer options for treatment as mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and anti-psychotics,
electroconvulsive therapy and psychotherapy. Since this is a component of the US Department
of Health and Human Services I am led to feel that some of this information was provided by
peer reviewed journals and could be seen as questionable as well, but generally has the
appearance of a more creditable place for information regarding bipolar disorder. Either way
both sources include psychotherapy which I feel is one of the most important aspects of
managing my day to day life.

Ellis-Aelaei

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR

DISORDER

References
Kruick, G. (2014, August 8). Reference Library: Alternative treatments for bipolar
disorder. Retrieved from HealthLine :
http://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/alternativetreatments#Overview1
U.S DHHS. (2012). Bipolar Disorder in Adults. Retrieved from National Institue of
Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorderin-adults/index.shtml?
wvsessionid=wv8bc8ae0503f14d29b08f948267fe3228#pub8

Ellis-Aelaei

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR

DISORDER

Use in text

(Author, Year)

References
Author. (Year). Title. city: publishing co.

Ellis-Aelaei